Apparatus and method for a mop

ABSTRACT

A mop apparatus is described that includes an elongate handle, a mop head and a wringing device. The mop head includes a bracket connected to a distal end portion of the elongate handle. The bracket has a pair of distally extending arms that connect to the mop. The mop has a distally directed cleaning surface and opposed rear surface that connects to the bracket. A backing plate is connected to the rear surface of the mop. The wringing device is actuated by a movable handle that displaces and rotates portions of the plate to compress and wring out the water from the mop.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to mops and more particularly to hand heldmops with water wringing mechanisms.

2. Description of the Related Art

Mops that include wringing apparatuses provide an advantage by enablingthe mops to be quickly wrung without the need for any additionalequipment. The wringing apparatuses typically remove the water from themops by running the cleaning portions through restrictive structuressuch as a pair of elongate cylindrical rollers. This wringing processeliminates much of the water, but the effectiveness of this wringingprocess is limited by the distance between the rollers and size of thecleaning portion of the mop. Far too often the wringing process does notwring a sufficient amount of the water from the cleaning portion and themop undesirably retains an excessive amount of water for cleaning ordrying.

A wringing apparatus for a mop is needed that can advantageously wringthe water from a variety of sizes and types of cleaning portions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A mop apparatus is disclosed that comprises an elongate handle and a mophead. The mop head includes a bracket and a plate, the bracket connectedto a distal end portion of the handle, the plate has a center sectionand two rotatingly connected and laterally positioned wings, eachlateral wing rotatingly connected to a distal end portion of thebracket. The mop apparatus includes a mop that has a cleaning elementthat has a distally directed cleaning surface and an opposed rearsurface that is connected to the plate. The mop apparatus also has awringing device that includes a movable handle and a rod, the movablehandle is connected to a proximal end portion of the rod and isrotatingly connected to the elongate handle. A distal end portion of therod is connected to the center section of the plate. At least twopivotal connections couple a distal end portion of the bracket to thewings. Each pivotal connection includes a first pivotal joint thatcouples the bracket to a proximal end portion of a pivotal element and asecond pivotal joint that couples the distal end portion of the pivotalelement to one of the wings.

The wringing device of the mop apparatus has a first position in whichthe wings and the center section are aligned and the cleaning element ofthe mop is distally directed for mopping. A second position of thewringing device includes the repositioning of the movable handle towring water from the mop. The repositioning of the movable handle movesthe rod and moves the center section proximally. The proximal movementof the center section rotates the wings and mop such that the portionsof the mop connected to the wings are compressed together.

The bracket preferably includes two laterally positioned and distallyextending arms. Each arm extends distally and a distal end portion ofeach of the arms is in proximity to and is connected with one of thewings.

The wringing device in the second position compresses the cleaningsurfaces of the mop together. The mop is preferably connected to theplate using T-elements. Alternatively, the mop can include magnets andthe plate can include magnets that connect the mop and plate together.

The movable handle is in a distal position in the first position of thewringing device and is repositioned proximally to displace theconnecting rod and center section proximally in the second position ofthe wringing device.

The handle is at least partially tubular and the connecting rod extendsfrom within the handle and through a slot to connect with the movablehandle. The handle and bracket rotate in a plane approximatelyperpendicular to and independent of the plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a mop apparatus constructed inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a left side perspective view of the mop apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a is a bottom perspective view of a mop head of the mop apparatusof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 b is a top perspective view of a cleaning element of the mopapparatus of FIG. 1 when detached from the mop head;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a wringing device of the mopapparatus of FIG. 1 in a first position;

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the wringing device of the mop apparatusof FIG. 1 in the first position;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the wringing device of the mopapparatus of FIG. 1 in a second position;

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the wringing device of the mop apparatusof FIG. 1 in the second position;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the mop head of the mop apparatusof FIG. 1 having a backing plate with magnetic pads;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the iron plates positioned on a rearsurface of the cleaning element of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a bottom front perspective view of the wringing device of themop apparatus of FIG. 1 in the first position; and

FIG. 11 is a bottom front perspective view of the wringing device of themop apparatus of FIG. 1 in the second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1, one preferred embodiment of a mopapparatus 10 is shown that includes a handle 12, a mop head 14 and awringing device 16. Handle 12 is an elongate cylindrical member with adistal end portion. Wringing device 16 is movable between a firstposition and a second position for the wringing of water from head 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, handle 12 preferably has a tubular construction. Aslot 50 is defined in handle 12. Handle 12 defines a first axis and canbe fabricated from a broad range of materials that includes polymers,metals, cellulose or composites.

The mop head 14 of apparatus 10 includes a bracket 20 that provides astructure for mop 24 during cleaning and for the wringing of water froma mop 24. In this preferred embodiment, bracket 20 connects to a distalend portion of handle 12 and has a pair of opposed arms 22 that extenddistally in approximately the shape of an inverted “Y” or “U”. Thedistal ends of arms 22 connect to mop 24.

Attached to the proximal end portion of the handle 12 is a loop 70 whichfacilitates the hanging of mop apparatus 10 by a hook. A first grip 72is positioned on the proximal end portion and a center grip 74 ispositioned on a central portion of the elongated handle 12. Grips 72 and74 provide for the easy manipulation and handling of apparatus 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, mop or cleaning element 24 has adistally directed cleaning surface 26 and an opposed rear surface 28.The mop further includes a front side 30, an opposed back side 32 andtwo opposed lateral sides 34. The cleaning surface 26 is preferably madeof a material such as MICRO-FIBER, fiber or sponge. Mop 24 absorbsliquids when immersed, dispenses excessive amounts of those liquidsduring wringing and then retains a select amount of liquids for moping.

As shown in FIG. 4, mop 24 is coupled to a backing plate 36. The plate36 has a center section 38 and two wings 40 that are positioned adjacentto the center section 38. Each arm 22 connects to one of wings 40. Thelength of center section 38 is proportioned to the thickness of mop 24and is preferably less than the length of each wing 40. Arms 22 define afirst plane.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, wringing device 16 of mop apparatus 10 is inthe first position. Wringing device 16 includes a movable handle 44, arod 46 and a pair of pivotal elements 48. Handle 44 is rotatinglyconnected to the elongated handle 12 in proximity to slot 50 for themovement of wringing device 16 between the first position and the secondposition. In the first position of apparatus 10 wringing device 16 ispositioned for uses such as cleaning and storing.

The handle 44 of the wringing device 16 includes a pair of arms 54, agrip 56 and a bar 58. In this preferred embodiment, each arm 54 has afirst end portion that is connected to handle 12 for pivotal rotationand an opposed second end portion that is connected to grip 56. Grip 56is a readily accessible and easily grasped handle. Bar 58 is connectedto at least one of arms 54.

Connecting rod 46 is an elongate member that extends at least partiallywithin handle 12 between bar 58 and center section 38. Rod 46 has aproximal end portion 52 that extends through slot 50 of handle 12 toconnect to bar 58. Rod 46 and bar 58 are connected by an attachmentmechanism 60 that accommodates the rotational movement between bar 58and attachment mechanism 60 as handle 44 is rotated. A distal endportion 62 of rod 46 is coupled with the center section 38 of the plate36 by a connector such as a pair of brackets 64. In one preferredembodiment, the connection of center section 38 with rod 46 accommodatesthe rotation of rod 46 in a plane approximately perpendicular to plate36. Connecting rod 46 is an elongate member that is preferably made ofsteel.

A first pivotal joint 66 connects arm 22 and a first end of a pivotalelement 48 and a second pivotal joint 68 connects a second end ofpivotal element 48 and plate 36. Pivotal joints 66, pivotal elements 48and second pivotal joints 68 extend approximately distally in the firstposition and provide sufficient rigidity for the transfer of a distallydirected cleaning force from handle 12 to mop 24. The first pivotaljoints 66 provide for the angular rotation of the pivotal elements 48 inthe first plane about the distal end of the bracket arms 22. The secondpivotal joints 68 provide the angular rotation of the wings 40 about thecenter section 38 in plane-X. In one preferred embodiment, theconnection between joints 68 and plate 36 accommodate the angularrotation of bracket 20 and handle 12 in a plane approximatelyperpendicular to plate 36.

The distal facing portions of the wings 40 have a plurality ofT-projections 42. The T-projections 42 penetrate into and connect withrear surface 28. The added compression of the downward or distallydirected pressure for cleaning strengthens the connection between plate36 and mop 24. The T-projections can also extend across portions of thecenter section 38.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, handle 44 actuates the movement of wringingdevice 16 between the first position and second position. The proximalrotational movement of handle 44 simultaneously displaces connecting rod46 and center section 38 of the plate 36 in the proximal direction. Theproximal movement of center section 38 results in the rotation ofpivotal elements 48 about joints 66 to a position approximatelyperpendicular to an axis-X defined by handle 12. Wings 40 are alsorepositioned and/or rotated about joints 66 and their respective jointswith center section 38 to a position approximately parallel with firstaxis. The pivotal rotation of wings 40 can further include, as required,rotation about second pivotal joints 68.

In the preferred embodiment, the rotation of wings 40 about joint 66places the portions of mop 24 that are adjacent wings 40 in directcontact and under a predetermined amount of pressure to wring water frommop 24. The relatively small portion of mop 24 connected to centersection 38 is similarly compressed by wings 40 into itself for thewringing of water from that portion of mop 24.

Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, in another embodiment of mop head 14,plate 36 and mop 24 are connected together magnetically. Thin magneticpads 76 instead of T-shaped projections are positioned on center section38 and wings 40 with a first magnetic polarization. The rear surface 28of mop 24 is provided with thin and flexible magnetic plates 78 with amagnetic polarization that is opposite that of pads 76.

In operation as shown in FIG. 10, in the first position of apparatus 10,the wings 40 and center section 38 of the plate 36 are approximatelycoplanar for moping. Rod 46 is extended distally and handle 44 ispreferably positioned in the distal direction. The first pivotal joints66, the pivotal elements 48 and second pivotal joints 68 extend distallyand are approximately aligned with a longitudinal axis defined by handle12. Handle 12 and bracket 20 can rotate in a plane approximatelyperpendicular to plate 36 for ease of use during moping.

The movement of handle 44 between the distal and proximal positions istransferred to rod 46 to reposition plate 36 between the first positionfor use as a mop and the second position for wringing.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, mop head 14 is preferably dipped orsubmerged into water before commencing the cleaning operation. Theexcess water is wrung out of mop 24 by moving handle 44 proximally fromthe first position of wringing device 16 to the second position ofwringing device 16. The proximal repositioning of movable handle 44repositions rod 46 and center portion 38 proximally from being alignedwith wings 40. As center portion 38 is displaced proximally, wings 40simultaneously rotate about their respective connections with section 38and about first joints 66 in an inward direction. Wings 40 rotate frombeing approximately aligned in the first position of wring device 16 tobeing approximately perpendicular to center section 38 in the secondposition of wringing device 16. Similarly, pivotal elements 48 rotatefrom extending distally in the first position of wringing device 16 tobeing approximately parallel with the alignment of center section 38 inthe second position of wringing device 16. The proximal rotation ofmovable handle 44 places the opposing sides of mop 24 in the compressionand results in the displacement or wringing of the water from mop 24.

Wringing apparatus 16 of mop apparatus 10 in the second position isreturned to the first position by the displacement of handle 44distally. Connecting rod 46 and center section 38 are displaceddistally. Wings 40 simultaneously rotate outwardly and into alignmentwith center section 38 in the first position of wringing device 16. Mop24 in the first position after being wrung in the second position hasretained sufficient water for cleaning and is ready for cleaning.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of thepreferred embodiment above, numerous modifications and/or additions tothe above described preferred embodiments would be readily apparent toone skilled in the art. It is intended that the scope of presentinvention extends to all such modifications and/or additions and thatthe scope of present invention is limited by the claims set forth below.

1. A mop apparatus that comprises: an elongate handle; a mop head thatincludes a bracket and a plate, the bracket connected to a distal endportion of the handle, the plate has a center section and two rotatinglyconnected and laterally positioned wings, each lateral wing rotatinglyconnected to a distal end portion of the bracket; a mop that includes acleaning element that has a distally directed cleaning surface and anopposed rear surface that is connected to the plate; a wringing devicethat includes a movable handle and a rod, the movable handle connectedto a proximal end portion of the rod and rotatingly connected to theelongate handle, a distal end portion of the rod connected to the centersection of the plate; at least two pivotal connections that couple adistal end portion of the bracket to the wings, each pivotal connectionincludes a first pivotal joint that couples the bracket to a proximalend portion of a pivotal element and a second pivotal joint that couplesthe distal end portion of the pivotal element to one of the wings; afirst position of the wringing device in which the cleaning element ofthe mop is distally directed for mopping; and a second position of thewringing device in which the movable handle is repositioned to wringwater from the mop by moving the rod and moving the center sectionproximally, the proximal movement of the center section rotating thewings and mop such that the portions of the mop connected to the wingsare compressed together.
 2. The mop apparatus of claim 1, wherein thebracket includes two laterally positioned and distally extending arms.3. The mop apparatus of claim 2, wherein each arm extends distally inproximity to and is connected with one of the wings.
 4. The mopapparatus of claim 1, wherein the wringing device in the second positioncompresses the cleaning surfaces of the mop together.
 5. The mopapparatus of claim 1, wherein the mop is connected to the plate usingT-elements.
 6. The mop apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mop isconnected to the plate using magnets.
 7. The mop apparatus of claim 1,wherein the movable handle is in a distal position in the first positionof the wringing device and is repositioned proximally to displace theconnecting rod and center section proximally in the second position ofthe wringing device.
 8. The mop apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handleis at least partially tubular and the connecting rod extends from withinthe handle and through a slot to connect with the movable handle.
 9. Themop apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle and bracket rotate in aplane approximately perpendicular to and independent of the plate.